South Africa’s tour match in Delhi in serious doubt; BCCI yet to announce opponent

South Africa is scheduled to play a warm-up T20 match on September 29 © Getty Images

South Africa’s only warm-up match before the start of a marathon series against India is scheduled to take place on September 29 in Palam area in New Delhi, but the ongoing dispute between the officials of the Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA) has put serious doubt over the match. The match can be hosted in Mohali by Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) — the venue for the opening Test of the four-match series. The South Africans will be playing a three-match Twenty20 series, a five-match One-Day International (ODI) series and a four-Test series, starting October 2. Interestingly, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to announce South Africa’s opponents in the first warm-up match of the tour, as the board is currently sweating over the possibility of the match happening in the country’s capital.

According to Mumbai Mirror, the BCCI has already shifted the under-19 matches from the capital and they are now mulling over the idea of shifting the Twenty20 tour match to Mohali. The tour will end with the fourth Test to be played in early December. The tourists will also play another tour match before the start of the Test series, which begins in early November. ALSO READ: India vs South Africa 2015: No real surprises in South African Test side
An official of the PCA was quoted as saying, “They’re still not sure if Delhi is the right place for the practice match. Mohali is an option but the bookings for the South Africans have apparently been done in Delhi. We’ve been sounded out but we learn that they’re trying to retrieve the situation. As of today [Tuesday], there is no official communication.” ALSO READ: South Africa squad for India ODIs: Proteas balance experience and youth in potent squad
The report added that the board has deployed a few officials to assess the current situation in Delhi, but the main problem would be to how to convey DDCA about taking away the match from them.